Cano, Cruz take leads, Bautista closes in on Trout

Angels star still has most AL All-Star votes but Blue Jays slugger is right on his heels

By
Joey Nowak
MLB.com

A lot can happen in a week. Six days is all it took for a number of the hottest American League All-Star voting races to change hands, with new players now leading the pack at second base, designated hitter and in the outfield.

At the first tally last week, the race for the AL's starting second-base spot in the 2014 All-Star Game at Target Field was the closest. This week, there's a new leader in that race -- the Mariners' Robinson Cano (726,158) who overtook the Tigers' Ian Kinsler (649,926). But it's the top outfield spot that draws the most attention.

Mike Trout (1,361,649) remains the league's top vote-getter, but the margin has closed considerably. He had a lead over Derek Jeter, who still paces the shortstop field, by more than 160,000 votes last week, but it's now the Blue Jays' Jose Bautista (1,351,896) who has closed in on Trout. They are the top vote-getters in the league and the top two outfielders, with one of Bautista's teammates, Melky Cabrera (743,208), now standing in the third spot. Jacoby Ellsbury (625,206) of the Yankees was the No. 3 outfielder last week but has slipped to fourth.

The only other player besides Trout and Bautista with at least one million votes is Jeter (1,007,968), who leads Alexei Ramirez (867,156) and the rest of the group of AL shortstops.

Nine-time All-Star David Ortiz (766,631) of the Red Sox led the DHs at the onset last week, but has since been eclipsed by the red-hot Nelson Cruz (888,855). The Orioles slugger leads the league in home runs (20) and RBIs (52).

Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or on a mobile device -- using the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot Sponsored by Experian until Thursday, July 3, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The 2014 All-Star Game will be played at Target Field on Tuesday, July 15.

Fans may submit up to 25 online ballots, but they can also earn a one-time bonus of 10 additional online ballots. To access these additional online ballots, you must be logged into your MLB.com account when you submit any online ballot. If you do not have an MLB.com account, register on the site in accordance with the enrollment instructions for a free MLB.com account.

Two-time defending league MVP Miguel Cabrera (962,138) continues to lead at first base, ahead of White Sox rookie Jose Abreu (602,628) and fellow former MVP Albert Pujols (569,211). It was Pujols who held the No. 2 spot last week, but Abreu has taken over despite a stint on the disabled list.

Since Cabrera made the move back to first base this season, it has opened up the field to a new crop of candidates at third, and A's star Josh Donaldson (956,811) has taken advantage. He maintains his significant lead over Rays star Evan Longoria (589,621) and Texas' Adrian Beltre (497,876).

Others who are also competing for a top-three spot in the outfield voting include the Yankees' Carlos Beltran (565,554), as well as division-rival Adam Jones (531,882) of the Orioles. Detroit's Torii Hunter, Oakland's Yoenis Cespedes, Cleveland's Michael Brantley and Baltimore's Nick Markakis round out the top 10.

Fans this year once again can participate in the Home Run Derby Fan Poll. Fans will have the opportunity to select three players in each league who they would most like to see participate in the Home Run Derby. The 2014 Home Run Derby will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, July 14.

The 2014 American League and National League All-Star teams will be unveiled on the 2014 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show during the weekend of July 5-6, with further details to follow on MLB.com. Immediately following the announcement of the AL and NL All-Star rosters, fans can begin voting to select the final player for each league's 34-man roster via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Final Vote Sponsored by Experian. Fans will cast their votes from a list of five players from each league over the balloting period.

And the voting doesn't end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote Sponsored by Pepsi, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.

The 85th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.